Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces judicial appointments in the province of Alberta

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 8, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced the following appointments under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.

The Honourable Thomas Rothwell, a Justice of the Court of King's Bench of Alberta in Edmonton, is appointed a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of Alberta in Edmonton. Justice Rothwell replaces Justice F. Slatter, who retired effective August 4, 2026.

Malcolm M. Lavoie, K.C., Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Alberta in Edmonton, is appointed a Justice of the Court of King's Bench of Alberta in Edmonton. Justice Lavoie replaces Justice T. Rothwell (Edmonton), who was elevated to the Court of Appeal of Alberta effective October 7, 2026.

Quote

"I wish Justices Rothwell and Lavoie every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of Alberta well as a members of the Court of Appeal of Alberta and the Court of King's Bench of Alberta."

-- The Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Biographies

Justice Thomas Rothwell was born in Edmonton. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta in 1993 and graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 1997. He was called to the Alberta Bar in 1999.

Prior to his appointment to the Court of King's Bench of Alberta in 2020, Justice Rothwell served as law clerk to the Honourable Mr. Justice J.C. Major at the Supreme Court of Canada. He then joined the Edmonton firm of Reynolds, Mirth, Richards and Farmer LLP in 1998. In 2004, he accepted a position with Alberta Justice and practised in the areas of Aboriginal, constitutional and health law then held the position of Assistant Deputy Minister, Legal Services Division.

Justice Malcolm M. Lavoie, K.C., was born and raised in Edmonton. He studied at the University of British Columbia (U.B.C.), graduating from the Honours B.A. program in Economics. While at U.B.C., he was a member of the Canadian national swim team, representing Canada in international competitions. He went on to attend the London School of Economics, receiving an M.Sc. with Distinction in Political Theory. He studied law at McGill University, where he graduated with B.C.L. and LL.B. degrees. He later attended Harvard Law School as a Frank Knox Fellow, where he received an LL.M. and S.J.D. He was called to the Alberta Bar in 2013.

Justice Lavoie served as a law clerk for Justice Frans Slatter of the Alberta Court of Appeal, and then for Justice Rosalie Abella of the Supreme Court of Canada. From 2015 to 2024, he was a law professor at the University of Alberta. His academic publications include articles in leading journals, as well as books on constitutional law, property law, business law, and public law principles. During his time as a law professor, he was also Associate Counsel with Miller Thomson LLP. He argued several cases before the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2024, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Alberta. He was appointed King's Counsel in 2024.

Justice Lavoie is a former President of the Edmonton Bar Association. He also served on the Alberta Judicial Council and the board of the Centre for Constitutional Studies.

Justice Lavoie is a dedicated husband and father, and an active member of his community.

Quick facts

• Federal judicial appointments are made by the Governor General, acting on the advice of the federal Cabinet and recommendations from the Minister of Justice.
• The Judicial Advisory Committees across Canada play a key role in evaluating judicial applications. There are 17 Judicial Advisory Committees, with each province and territory represented.

SOURCE Department of Justice Canada

Contacts: For more information, media may contact: Joannie Fogue, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 613-297-2431, [email protected]; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]